CHINA SENDING “LARGEST BLOCKADE” TO SCARBOROUGH SHOAL, MARITIME EXPERT

Organizers of the civilian-led mission to bring food and supplies to Filipino fisherfolks at Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag, Scarborough Shoal) will proceed with the trip despite reports of heavy presence of Chinese ships sailing in the area, the reports said on Monday.

The mission of bringing supplies to fishers and install buoys of Atin Ito Coalition will last from May 14 to 17 bearing the message: “West Philippine Sea is ours!”

Atin Ito PH civilian mission, China huge blockade (Photo courtesy of @GordianKnotRay X/GMA News)

Atin Ito Co-convener Rafaela David stated, "Our mission is peaceful, based on international law and aimed at asserting our sovereign rights. The reported heavy presence of Chinese marine vessels in Bajo de Masinloc is lamentable, but not surprising. It only underscores the urgency of civilianizing the area in response to China's militarization." 

About “200 participants” will join the convoy at different points along the maritime journey to Bajo de Masinloc, a traditional fishing field that is patrolled by China and avoided by Filipino fishermen. According to David, the volunteers are providing food and fuel packs to local fishermen in order for them to stay at sea longer and capture larger fish.

The director of SeaLight Ray Powell said, “China is sending a huge force to blockade Scarborough Shoal ahead of the Atin Ito civilian convoy setting sail from the Philippines Tuesday. By this time tomorrow at least four coast guard and 26 large maritime militia ships on blockade not counting 'dark' vessels,” saying this will be the “largest blockade” in Scarborough Shoal he has seen.

China Coast Guard vessels have retaliated to similar actions to the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources with forceful maneuvers and the use of water cannons, but David stated that this will not stop the volunteer convoy from departing. 

In Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc locally, about 100 boats will participate in the second civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which intends to organize a “peace and solidarity regatta” and install markers or buoys.

"China's actions are failing to intimidate Filipinos. Instead, they are only uniting us and inspiring us to go further in defending our rights," David said in the Atin Ito statement.

Source: Philippine Star 

Be part of ImHenyo community!

Get featured by sharing your stories, news, and comments

Email us at [email protected]